The Beginning of the Communication Apostolate

The Jesuit engagement in social communication in South Asia has deep roots in the missionary vision of the Society of Jesus. From the early days of Jesuit presence in the region, communication was recognized as a powerful means of education, social transformation, and cultural dialogue.

Jesuits in South Asia were pioneers in:

• Establishing printing presses and publishing houses
• Producing books, magazines, journals, and catechetical materials
• Promoting theatre, art, and cultural expression
• Engaging in radio and later television ministries
• Contributing to journalism and public discourse
• Developing audio-visual and multimedia initiatives

Growth of Organized Media Ministry

As media technology evolved — from print to radio, from television to digital platforms — Jesuits in South Asia increasingly recognized the need for structured coordination and professional engagement in social communication.

Across the 20 Provinces of the South Asia Conference, Jesuits began:

• Running Catholic magazines and newsletters
• Producing documentaries, short films, and educational videos
• Conducting media education and communication training
• Managing radio programs and community media
• Engaging in journalism and public advocacy
• Promoting faith-based art, theatre, and cultural initiatives

Individual Jesuits dedicated significant portions of their apostolic ministry to communication-culture processes. According to the understanding of the Society of Jesus, a Jesuit working in social communication is one whose mission gives priority to communication — either by dedicating more than half of his time to communication-related ministry or by significantly influencing public opinion through consistent use of social communication media.

Formation of JESCOM at the Conference Level

Recognizing the growing importance of media in shaping culture and public opinion, the South Asia Conference formally strengthened its communications apostolate under the banner of JESCOM (Jesuit Communications).

JESCOM was envisioned as:

• A coordinating body for the communication ministry
• A platform for collaboration among Provinces
• A structure for capacity building and formation
• A voice for the Conference in the public sphere

Through regular meetings, consultations, and shared planning processes, Jesuits involved in communication began working more closely together. JCSA Communications Coordinator, Zonal Coordinators, and Province JESCOM Coordinators played key roles in strengthening this network.

A Historic Milestone: The Common JESCOM Website

Following the Annual JESCOM Meeting at Kozikode on 12-14 September 2025, a significant decision was taken to establish a common digital platform for the South Asia Conference — jescoms.asia.

Through having the deliberation of JESCOM Coordinators during the annual meeting at Kolizode,  8–10 online Executive Team meetings, with active participation from Zonal and Province Coordinators, the website was shaped as a collaborative and integrative platform.

This initiative:

• Links all Province media desks
• Enhances visibility at the Conference level
• Promotes inter-province collaboration
• Ensures consistent communication of Conference themes
• Strengthens the Communications Ministry in the spirit of the RR Process

The website represents a historic step in building a unified digital presence while respecting provincial identities.

JESCOM Today

Today, JESCOM South Asia stands as a dynamic and collaborative network connecting 20 Provinces through print, audio, visual, digital, and cultural media.

It continues to:

• Shape public opinion in light of Gospel values
• Communicate the mission of reconciliation and justice
• Strengthen Conference-level collaboration
• Empower Jesuits and collaborators in communication ministry

JESCOM is not merely a media structure — it is a mission movement, committed to communicating faith, promoting dialogue, and building a more just and reconciled society across South Asia.

Origins of Jesuit Communication in India and South Asia

Earliest Foundation: Printing and Publications

• First Printing Press in India: The first printing press in the Indian subcontinent was established by Jesuits at Saint Paul’s College in Goa in 1556, under the Portuguese colonial context. This press printed religious works and Christian literature that contributed to early printing and cultural exchange in India. 
• João de Bustamante SJ: A Spanish Jesuit printer who set up and ran India’s first press, producing print editions of Christian texts including catechisms and theological works. 
• Early Vernacular Works: Jesuit priests like Fr. Thomas Stephens SJ used this medium to publish works such as Krista Purana — an epic retelling of the Bible in a mix of Marathi-Konkani — and early grammars to support missionary engagement with local languages. 

This early phase validated Jesuit insight into the power of print as a communication and cultural tool — long before modern media.

Jesuit Communications Centres and Media Initiatives in South Asia

Over the centuries, Jesuits in South Asia — particularly India — expanded their communication outreach through formal and informal centres, publications, and media training.

Print and Publications

• Jivan Magazine: A major Jesuit publication serving the Jesuit Conference of South Asia, Jivan (meaning “Life”) has been published for over four decades, bringing news, reflections, and stories from Jesuit ministries across India and neighbouring countries.
  • It reflects a Conference-level media effort, connecting Jesuits and collaborators on mission, and utilizes both print and digital delivery.
• Province Presses: Individual provinces established their own presses — for example:
  • Sanjivan Press (Patna Province) — set up in 1948 by Fr. John Barrot SJ, launching newspapers and Catholic literature. 
  • Prabhat Prakashan (Patna) — continued print media production, including Hindi Catholic magazines and book publishing. 

Audio and Broadcast Media

• Community Radio Sarang (Mangalore): Established in 2009 by Fr. Richard Rego SJ and managed by St. Aloysius College, this Jesuit-run community radio serves multilingual local and community audiences with education, health, cultural, and social programming. 

Media Training, Research, and Production Centres

• Chitrabani (Kolkata):
  • Founded in 1970 by Fr. Gaston Roberge SJ, a pioneer in film appreciation and media education in India, this centre became one of the oldest media training institutes in Eastern India. 
  • Chitrabani focuses on film culture, media literacy, visual storytelling, and communication formation.
• Educational Media Research Centre (EMRC), St. Xavier’s College (Kolkata):
  • Also initiated by Fr. Gaston Roberge, EMRC served as an academic and production hub for media education, cinema studies, and audiovisual production. 

Key Areas of Jesuit Contribution in Communication

Jesuit Media Centres in South Asia

Origins, Establishment, and Activities

The Jesuit engagement in communication ministry gradually developed into organized media centres, production houses, training institutes, and communication departments across South Asia. These centres respond to the changing communication landscape — from print to radio, film, television, and digital media.

1. Chitrabani – Kolkata (1970)

Founder: Fr. Gaston Roberge SJ

Beginning: Established in 1970

Activities:

• Film appreciation courses
• Media literacy training
• Documentary production
• Workshops on cinema and communication
• Cultural dialogue through film

Contribution: Promoted critical engagement with cinema and introduced communication studies as a serious apostolate.

2. Educational Media Research Centre (EMRC), St. Xavier’s College – Kolkata (1980s)

Founder: Fr. Gaston Roberge SJ (pioneering involvement)

Beginning: Established in collaboration with national educational media initiatives (1980s)

Activities:

• Production of educational television programs
• Academic media research
• Audio-visual content for universities
• Media training and production

Contribution: Bridged higher education and media production, strengthening academic communication.

3. Sanjivan Press – Patna (1948)

Founder: Fr. John Barrot SJ

Beginning: Established in 1948

Activities:

• Printing Catholic literature
• Publishing religious magazines
• Producing catechetical materials
• Supporting diocesan and church publications

4. Community Radio Sarang – Mangalore (2009)

Founder:

• Fr. Richard Rego SJ
• Operated by St. Aloysius College

Beginning: Launched in 2009

Activities:

• Community radio broadcasting
• Educational programs
• Health and social awareness campaigns
• Cultural programming
• Youth engagement programs

Contribution: Empowered local communities through participatory communication and grassroots media.

5. Satya Bharati, Ranchi

Satya Bharati was founded in Ranchi as a Catholic periodical aimed at promoting Christian values, social awareness, and regional concerns.

Nature:

• Catholic magazine / periodical
• Faith formation and pastoral orientation
• Regional Church news
• Social and moral reflections

Activities:

• Publication of articles on faith, justice, education, and tribal issues
• Promotion of Christian values in Hindi and regional languages
• Coverage of Church activities in Chotanagpur region
• Encouragement of local writers and catechists

6. Catholic Press, Ranchi

The Catholic Press in Ranchi was established by Jesuits to promote Catholic literature and regional-language publications, particularly for tribal and rural communities. It became one of the most important Church printing presses in Eastern India. The Catholic Press played a foundational role in the communication apostolate of the Ranchi Jesuits.

7. Ravi Bharati, Patna

Ravi Bharati emerged as part of the Jesuit effort in North India to engage in print media, cultural communication, and intellectual apostolate, especially in Hindi-speaking regions.

It developed alongside other Jesuit communication initiatives such as:

• Sanjivan Press (Patna, 1948 – founded by Fr. John Barrot SJ)
• Catholic publications in Ranchi
• Regional faith and social awareness magazines

8. Xavier Communications Centre (XCC) – Dumka

While early efforts focused on print media (like Marsal Tabon) and tribal language publications, later developments led to the establishment of structured media centres such as Xavier Communications Centre (XCC), Dumka. XCC emerged as part of the shift from print-only apostolate to audio-visual and digital communication.

Purpose of Xavier Communications Centre

XCC was established to:

• Train youth and pastoral workers in media
• Document tribal culture and Church activities
• Use modern media tools for mission

9. Gurjarvani, Gujarat

Gurjarvani is a well-established communication and cultural media centre in Ahmedabad, Gujarat that has played a role in media training, production, and creative cultural communication, especially for the Gujarati-speaking community. It was founded in 1974 in Vadodara (formerly Baroda) as an audiovisual service and later moved to Ahmedabad in 1987 at the St. Xavier’s College campus in Navrangpura. 

• Gurjarvani describes itself as a culture and communication centre aimed at promoting peace, joy, justice, and harmony through media. 
• It serves principally the Gujarati-speaking audience locally and internationally, with a focus on creative expression, community engagement, and communication training. 

• Audio Studio: A recording facility for audio programmes, voice work, and cultural content. 
• Video Editing Setup: Tools for producing and editing visual content including films, documentaries, and message pieces. 
• Training: Provides communication training tailored to groups’ needs, including media production skills and use of communication tools. 
• Production Work: Creation of audio and video programmes, cultural presentations, and communication material reflecting social values. 

10. Anand Press, Gujarat 

Anand Press is a historic Jesuit-run printing press in Anand, Gujarat, with deep roots in Catholic mission communication and graphic arts training in western India. 

• Founded: The press began in 1926 as a small printing venture under Jesuit leadership, originally established to support the needs of the local Jesuit mission and associated institutions. 
• Jesuit Leadership: The initiative was led by Jesuit missionaries, including Fr Luis Bertran SJ and Br Francis Escofet SJ, with early staff trained in printing and binding at the Examiner Press in Bombay (now Mumbai) before returning to Anand to build the press. 
• Over time, Anand Press expanded significantly, graduating from a simple shed with rudimentary equipment into a full-fledged mechanical printing operation with modern machinery by the mid-20th century. 
• Printing Services: It provided quality printing and graphic design services for Catholic and secular institutions, including school books, magazines, church publications, and community materials. 
• Industrial and Social Training: Anand Press became a training centre for apprentices in the graphic arts, equipping young men with technical skills in composition, machine operation, and binding — part of its social outreach and vocational formation. 
• Awards and Recognition: The press earned several state and national awards for excellence in printing and design by the early 1970s, recognized by the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other organizations. 

History of Jesuit Media Education in India

Jesuit engagement with communication as a field of study and professional training in India grew out of their long tradition in education and social communication, which included print, audio-visual media, and cultural studies. Over time, this expanded into formal media courses offered by Jesuit colleges and institutes, especially from the late 20th century onward.

Xavier Institute of Communications (XIC), Mumbai — 1969

XIC is one of the earliest and most influential Jesuit-linked media education centres in India, created to develop professionalism, scholarship, and ethical values in media practice. It predates many university media departments in the country. 

Courses and Activities

• Post-graduate diploma programs (11 months) in:
  • Mass Communication & Digital Media
  • Journalism & Media Convergence
  • Film, Television & Digital Media
  • Public Relations and Corporate Communication
  • Advertising, Marketing Communications & Customer Analytics
  • Event Planning & Experiential Marketing
• Certificate and short courses in media skills and creative practice 

XIC combines practice-oriented training, real production work, and critical media studies. It has become one of Asia’s largest non-government media training centres and a benchmark for Jesuit media education. 

St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata — 1996

Foundation of Media Department

• Department of Mass Communication & Videography established: 1996
• Province: Calcutta Province of Jesuits
• Led by Jesuit educators including Fr. Gaston Roberge SJ and Fr. George Ponodoth SJ

This department offers a degree programme that integrates:

• Audiography and videography
• Journalism and media theory
• Scriptwriting, editing, and production
• Film studies and media ethics
• Practical work with industry-standard equipment 

St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai — Undergraduate Media Programme (2002)

• BA — Mass Communication & Journalism introduced in 2002, expanding Jesuit media education at the undergraduate level in a traditional college setting. 

The programme integrates media theory with hands-on training, preparing students for careers in journalism, creative media, and digital content.

St. Xavier’s College, Burdwan — Media & Journalism (2014)

• Established: 2014
• Undergraduate focus on Mass Communication & Journalism
• Integrates practical media skills with theory, including scriptwriting and video production. 

St. Aloysius Deemed to be University, Mangaluru — Media Studies

At St. Aloysius (Jesuit), the Department of Media Studies offers:

• BA Media & Communication
• BSc Visual Communication
• MA Media & Communication

Courses emphasize practical skills (photography, video editing, design) alongside theory, preparing students for journalism, filmmaking, and digital media careers. This represents Jesuit engagement with comprehensive media education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru — School of Communication & Media Studies

• Founded: 2008
• Offers media and communication education with an emphasis on both theory and practice, producing graduates in journalism, advertising, corporate communication, and digital media. 

Loyola Academy – Secunderabad / Vijayawada (Telangana)

Media Department: Loyola Academy, Secunderabad (Jesuit college established 1976) 
Course: B.A. in Mass Communication – Undergraduate programme started in 2004–05. 

Focus & Activities

• The course combines visual communication, filmmaking, short-film production, advertising, and reporting. 
• Students gain practical experience in media production, news reporting, editing, and digital media pages. 
• The curriculum includes practicals in photography, television production, and media labs with audio–video facilities. 
• Media fests, industry visits, internships, and college radio involvement enrich student experience. 

Loyola College – Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

Media / Visual Communication Programmes

• A full-fledged degree in Visual Communication was launched in 1989, making it one of the first such programmes in India. 
• Initially started from a diploma in the 1970s, it grew into a degree with expanding specializations. 

Course Evolution and Offerings

• B.Sc. Visual Communication (Shift I & Shift II) – undergraduate programmes. 
• M.Sc. Visual Communication – postgraduate within the same department. 
• M.A. Media Arts (Oodakha Kalaihal) with instruction in Tamil started in 2006. 
• BMM (Multimedia & Animation) launched in 2014 – industry-oriented degree covering animation, gaming, graphic design, VFX. 

Significance:
Loyola College, Chennai has had a longstanding role in professional media education in South India, predating many mainstream media programmes in the country.

St. Xavier’s College – Ranchi (Jharkhand)

Journalism & Mass Communication: St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi (Jesuit autonomous college) 
Bachelor’s in Journalism & Mass Communication (B.A. JMC) – offered as a 3-year undergraduate programme (established early 2000s). 

Postgraduate Programme

• A Master in Journalism & Mass Communication (MJMC) was offered but appears to have been discontinued recently (as of early 2026). 

Department Features

• Media production and student festivals
• Industry interactions and guest lectures
• Facilities like audio/video studios and editing labs 

XIM University (formerly XIMB) – Bhubaneswar (Odisha)

School of Communications: Xavier Institute of Management Bhubaneswar evolved into XIM University, Bhubaneswar

• B.Sc. (Hons.) Media Studies – undergraduate degree. 
• M.A. Mass Communication – postgraduate media programme. 
• Ph.D. in Communication – research degree within media studies. 

St. Joseph’s College – Tiruchirappalli (Communication Department)

Department of Communication

• BA Visual Communication
• Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc) in Visual Media & Filmmaking
• B.Voc in Digital Media & Animation

Postgraduate (PG):

• MA Journalism and Mass Communication
• MA Advertising & Public Relations

St. Xavier’s College – Palayamkottai (Jesuit, Tamil Nadu)

Communication / Media Courses

St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai (est. 1923) is a traditional Jesuit liberal arts and science college affiliated with Manonmaniam Sundaranar University. 

Current Status

• This college offers a wide range of arts, science, and commerce disciplines.
• There is no distinct, dedicated Department of Journalism or Mass Communication explicitly listed on the major public academic pages of the college. 

Possible Related Programmes:

• Some colleges without dedicated media departments have electives in English with media studies, elective communication courses, or media-related practical activities, but there is no formal undergraduate or postgraduate media programme openly advertised on the official site for Palayamkottai.

St. Xavier’s College – Patna (Jesuit)

Communication / Media Programme

St. Xavier’s College of Management & Technology, Patna (Jesuit) offers a Bachelor’s programme in Journalism & Mass Communication / Bachelor in Mass Communication through its Department of Journalism & Mass Communication. 

• BA in Journalism & Mass Communication (JMC) – 3-year undergraduate degree
• Also offered as Bachelor in Mass Communication (B.M.C.) depending on curriculum structure. 

Conclusion

Jesuit colleges across India have played a significant role in formal media education, evolving from traditional communication activities (print, radio, film appreciation) to structured academic programmes in journalism, mass communication, visual communication, and media studies. These programmes stress both technical proficiency and ethical/social sensibilities, reflecting Jesuit educational values.